Major hurdle cleared as G20 leaders move into second day

The G20 Leaders’ Summit enters its second day today - with its biggest hurdle already overcome.

On Saturday, President Cyril Ramaphosa switched up the programme by tabling a consensus declaration to the gathering immediately after his opening remarks, while the cameras were still rolling.

But in a break with tradition and in the absence of a U.S. leader to receive the declaration in a formal ceremony today, the handover will instead be conducted between diplomats at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation in the coming week.

This G20 declaration has its strongest-ever Africa focus.

It mentions Africa at least 80 times, a sign that South Africa’s presidency has achieved its aim of placing the continent’s concerns firmly on the global agenda.

President Cyril Ramaphosa said that after this year’s agenda, G20 leaders should feel that the grouping has been strengthened.

“The adoption of the declaration from this summit sends an important signal to the world that multilateralism can and does deliver.”

The declaration hasbeen followed by a new G20 Compact on Africa, pledging to advance issues related to economic growth and job creation.

It also recognises that high levels of debt in developing nations, especially in Africa, remain one of the major obstacles to inclusive growth.

G20 nations have additionally supported a critical minerals framework to ensure these resources become a driver of prosperity and sustainable development.